Competition To Modernize USAF Tankers Could Take Years

Source URL: http://www.aviationnow.com/avnow/news/channel_aerospacedaily_story.jsp?id=news/KC13511244.xml
Posted at: http://www.air-attack/com/news/news_article/340

A competition to upgrade or replace the U.S. Air Force's aging KC-135 tankers could take as little as six months or as long as several years, depending on the option chosen, a service official said Nov. 23.

Holding a competition to replace the engines on the KC-135Es, the oldest aircraft in the KC-135 fleet, would take roughly six months, while soliciting and evaluating proposals for a new commercial derivative aircraft, such as a Boeing 767 or Airbus A330, would probably take at least 18 months, said Air Force acquisition chief Marvin Sambur.

Picking a contractor to develop a new aircraft for Air Force refueling needs could take several years, Sambur said.

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